Education
Kids & Family
Brendan Mahan
ADHD Podcast for Parents and Educators
Total 278 episodes
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03/05/2024

Is ADHD an Interest Based Nervous System? with Dr William Dodson

Today, I’m joined by Dr. William Dodson.   Now semi-retired, Dr. Dodson is a Board-Certified adult psychiatrist and was one of the first clinicians to specialize in adults with ADHD over 25 years ago. He has been on the faculties of Georgetown University and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  He was the recipient of the national Maxwell Schleifer Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities in 2006, and was named a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in recognition of his clinical contributions to the field of ADHD in 2012.  He has written more than 120 articles and book chapters designed to help a lay audience better understand ADHD and its treatment. In this episode Dr Dodson shares his “Interest-Based Nervous System” approach to ADHD.  We discuss: The changes he’s seen in ADHD treatment over the course of his career How the ADHD nervous system differs from the neurotypical one, and how that causes confusion and challenges when it comes to motivation. Key Questions to ask about ADHD  The 5 general areas that support ADHD engagement The dangers of creating urgency & catastrophe in order to activate    Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Dr Dodson here: https://www.dodsonadhdtreatment.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at [email protected] Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group
39m
25/04/2024

Neurodiversity and Leadership with Talli Dolge and Amanda Morin

Today Talli Dolge and Amanda Morin join the pod.   Talli is a national mental health strategic advisor and executive consultant, and the Founder and CEO of Mindful Workplace LLC.  Amanda is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, award-winning author, certified educator, and nationally-known speaker.  Tallia and Amanda have recently launched the Empathic Edge Podcast, where they have intimate conversations with inspiring leaders with the aim of shattering preconceived ideas and providing actionable items to help listeners understand and work with different personalities and new ideas in the ever-changing work environment.  In this episode Talli, Amanda, and I talk about leadership.  We discuss  The difference between bosses and leaders Leadership as more art than science The interplay between leadership and professionalism The importance of trust in the workplace How the workplace is changing   Check Out the ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups Here!!!    Guest Links: Learn more about Talli Dole, Amanda Morin, and their new podcast "The Empathic Edge" at:  https://theempatheticedge.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at [email protected] Find Dr. Carolyn at: http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 
40m
06/03/2024

ADHD, Loss, and the Sandwich Generation with Anita Robertson LCSW

In today’s episode we talk to Anita Robertson, LCSW.  Anita is an ADHD and relationship therapist.  Her goal is to help individuals and couples understand ADHD and find the right systems that work for them.    Anita talks to us about navigating the challenges of being in the sandwich generation while having ADHD.  We discuss the challenges of caring for neurodiverse children and ailing parents - the impact it takes on our executive function, how it affects our relationships, and the toll it can take on our well-being.  As well as the need for social supports and understanding for adults in this uniquely challenging period.  Of course, we also talk about tools and strategies for navigating this time in our lives! Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Anita and her work at https://www.anitarobertson.com/ Follow her on social media here: https://www.facebook.com/anitarobertsonlcsw https://www.instagram.com/strengthinyourmind/ https://www.tiktok.com/@strengthinyourmind https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitarobertson   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at [email protected]   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community
41m
23/06/2023

Episode 250: OCD in the Family

This is the 250th episode of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. For those of you who have been wondering why the show has been inconsistent for the last little while, this is your answer.  I hope you find meaning and comfort in our story.   In today’s episode, my family and I share the mental health struggles that have affected our lives over the past four years, as well as the things we did to address, and eventually, overcome them.  This episode is mainly about my son Nathan’s struggle with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but the lessons hiding inside it related to compassion, family, and perseverance apply to all mental health challenges, ADHD included.   A few notes:  I did not propose the idea.  My kids did.  They wanted to do this for the 250th episode.   Also, we talk pretty frankly about Nate’s OCD, and even joke about some of the events it caused.  None of that was done with resentment or ill will.  The entire conversation was based in love and acceptance.  If anyone, especially Nate, had appeared uncomfortable or distressed by the conversation at any point, I would have ended it and not posted this.   Finally, this was recorded in January.  The boys finished 8th grade two days prior to posting, and did so with great success.  I’m proud to say that in the time since we recorded, our entire family has moved from a place of healing to a place of growth growth.   OCD Resource Links: International OCD Foundation: https://iocdf.org/ McLean Hospital's OCD Programs: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/treatment/ocd-institute NOCD: https://www.treatmyocd.com/   ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at [email protected]
1h 7m
05/11/2022

Getting Diagnosis, Supporting Men, and Attending to Inattention with Shane Thrapp of Creating Order from Chaos

Today, we’re talking to Shane Thrapp of “Creating Order from Chaos”.  Shane is an ADHD coach, sits on the board for the Inattentive ADHD Coalition, and moderates the largest men’s ADHD group on Facebook.  Shane shares his ADHD diagnosis story, and the role his son played in it.  He talks about how his parenting journey - the ways that our parents, for good or for ill, set the bar for us as parents, and why owning our mistakes as parents can be both incredibly hard and incredibly important. He also discusses his involvement with both the Men’s ADHD Support Group on Facebook (and how they help their members move beyond toxic behaviors so they can have healthy, supportive interactions), and the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (which seeks to help raise awareness of Inattentive ADHD). Guest Links: Learn more about Shane at https://www.creatingorderfromchaos.com/ Find the Men's ADHD at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mensadhdsupportgroup/members Learn more about the Inattentive ADHD Coalition here: https://www.iadhd.org/   Where's Brendan? November 7th– I’m part of the Putting Mama First Virtual Summit where I’ll be talking about why setting boundaries is part of self-care, and how to set them. November 7th– I’m also part of the See Beyond ADHD Virtual Summit.  This one is a more free ranging interview where I talk about everything from the foundations of ADHD management, to homeschooling, to why we should give ourselves more credit. November 17th– I’ll be at the International Conference on ADHD in Texas sharing a workshop on for ADHD professionals on how to be a good podcast guest. November 18th– I’ll still be at the ADHD conference, and I’ll be hosting a panel of ADHD influencers featuring Jessica McCabe, René Brooks, John Hazelwood, and Dani Donovan. December 3rd - I'm on a panel at the board gaming convention, PAX Unplugged in Philly, talking about the relationships between ADHD and Dungeons and Dragons. ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at [email protected]   ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Essentials ADHD Diversified
36m
29/10/2022

Noticing The Green Lights with Brendan Mahan, Your Terrific Traffic Tour Guide

Today, it's just me.  I'm discussing a metaphor I've been sharing for years in my workshops, but somehow haven't brought to the podcast yet.  It's a way to pay more attention to the things that are going smoothly, rather than the things that are getting in the way and causing trouble.  It's an important skill to develop, so we can reinforce the things we want, and have a better outlook on our lives.  And it's especially critical with ADHD in the mix. Where's Brendan? November 1st– I'll be doing a live webinar for ADDitude on how teachers and parents can help lonely teenagers who are dealing with peer rejection. November 7th– I’m part of the Putting Mama First Virtual Summit where I’ll be talking about why setting boundaries is part of self-care, and how to set them. November 7th– I’m also part of the See Beyond ADHD Virtual Summit.  This one is a more free ranging interview where I talk about everything from the foundations of ADHD management, to homeschooling, to why we should give ourselves more credit. November 17th– I’ll be at the International Conference on ADHD in Texas sharing a workshop on for ADHD professionals on how to be a good podcast guest. November 18th– I’ll still be at the ADHD conference, and I’ll be hosting a panel of ADHD influencers featuring Jessica McCabe, René Brooks, John Hazelwood, and Dani Donovan. December 3rd - I'm on a panel at the board gaming convention, PAX Unplugged in Philly, talking about the relationships between ADHD and Dungeons and Dragons. ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at [email protected]   ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Essentials ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle 
8m
22/10/2022

How Being a Good Parent is Like Being a Good Game Master

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer. Dr. Kilmer is a licensed clinical psychologist and the director of education and training at Game to Grow.  In this outstanding interview Elizabeth shares a brief exploration of the ways Dungeons and Dragons supports social growth, and then for the bulk of the interview we examine the SPARK model from Game to Grow’s Critical Core program, and how parents can use this guide for good game mastering to improve their parenting.  I recognize that this interview might seem a bit niche and geeky.  But I promise, even if you have zero interest in Dungeons and Dragons, you’ll find it the information useful.  Throughout, we’re essentially looking at the similarities and metaphorical interconnections between being and game master and being a parent and leader.  Besides, it’s been a few years since I last did a D&D episode.  Guest Links: Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer at https://gametogrow.org/about/staff/elizabethkilmer/ Learn more about Game to Grow at https://gametogrow.org Learn more about Critical Core at https://gametogrow.org/essentials/ Use the code "essentials" for a 10% discount! Where's Brendan? November 1st– I'll be doing a live webinar for ADDitude on how teachers and parents can help lonely teenagers who are dealing with peer rejection. November 7th– I’m part of the Putting Mama First Virtual Summit where I’ll be talking about why setting boundaries is part of self-care, and how to set them. November 7th– I’m also part of the See Beyond ADHD Virtual Summit.  This one is a more free ranging interview where I talk about everything from the foundations of ADHD management, to homeschooling, to why we should give ourselves more credit. November 17th– I’ll be at the International Conference on ADHD in Texas sharing a workshop on for ADHD professionals on how to be a good podcast guest. November 18th– I’ll still be at the ADHD conference, and I’ll be hosting a panel of ADHD influencers featuring Jessica McCabe, René Brooks, John Hazelwood, and Dani Donovan. December 3rd - I'm on a panel at the board gaming convention, PAX Unplugged in Philly, talking about the relationships between ADHD and Dungeons and Dragons. ADHD Essentials Links:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join Our Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at [email protected]   ADHD reWired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Essentials ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle 
42m
15/04/2022

FROM THE VAULT: Out of Loss Can Come Gain Post Traumatic Growth in a Time of Crisis with Richard Tedeschi, Ph.D., Distinguished Chair of Boulder Crest Institute for Posttraumatic Growth, Bluemont, VA

Today, we’re revisiting an episode from May of 2020 with Richard Tedeschi.  Richard originated the concept of posttraumatic growth with his colleague Lawrence Calhoun during their years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. More recently, he has been applying the posttraumatic growth concept in the development of innovative programs for combat veterans and first responders. The success of which is leading to their implementation at a number of venues across the country. His new book about the growth experiences of military families is Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth (2020). In Today’s Episode, Dr. Tedeschi talks to us about trauma, PTSD, and Post traumatic growth as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We discuss how getting clear on our beliefs can help us more effectively navigate this crisis, the importance of taking action for our mental health - especially actions that help others, and how parents can help their kids better handle difficult and challenging times.   Register for a Free Consult for the Summer Parent Coaching Groups   Guest Links: Find Dr. Teschi's books: Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth (2020) The Posttraumatic Growth Workbook (2016)    ADHD Rewired Podcast Network Plugs: ADHD reWired ADHD Essentials Hacking Your ADHD ADHD Diversified ADHD Friendly Lifestyle    Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups    ADHD Essentials Links:   Contact Brendan about booking a workshop for your organization Join Our Facebook Community Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at [email protected]  
41m